exceptionally

American

[ik-sep-shuh-nuh-lee] / ɪkˈsɛp ʃə nə li /

adverb

in a way or to a degree that is unusual or extraordinary; extremely.

The combination of an exceptionally high tide and a devastating storm surge has wreaked havoc on coastal communities.
In the photo, a young woman sits on the floor of a small shanty in an exceptionally impoverished neighborhood.

Other Word Forms

nonexceptionally adverb
preexceptionally adverb
quasi-exceptionally adverb
superexceptionally adverb

Etymology

Origin of exceptionally

exceptional ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

A walk in the park is nice, but it’s exceptionally nice on a beautiful spring day when the weather is perfect, flowers are blooming, and birds are singing. Think of the word exceptionally as a magic wand that upgrades adjectives from ordinary to extraordinary. For example, a good day could just be a pleasant day when nothing bad happens, but an exceptionally good day would be closer to having the best day of your life. While exceptionally usually carries a positive meaning, it can also be used to describe something that is particularly unusual, like an exceptionally large shrimp.

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Vocabulary lists containing exceptionally

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

If the Haitian nationals ultimately prevail, reversing their deportation would be exceptionally difficult to do.

From Salon • Apr. 25, 2026

One tanker left from New York harbor to Europe this month, an exceptionally rare occurrence, according to Denton Cinquegrana, chief oil analyst at OPIS, which is owned by Dow Jones publisher Barron’s.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

It challenges long-standing assumptions about where exceptionally preserved fossils can form and the conditions required to create them.

From Science Daily • Apr. 23, 2026

As it happens, both L.A. and the Bay Area had an exceptionally busy March in terms of local and nationwide events.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

Covered in shaggy fur, it has a large quantity of rough hair on its head and an exceptionally large nose.

From "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" by J.K. Rowling

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023